Leeds United sent the talented Bailey Peacock-Farrell on loan to York City for a month.
Bailey Peacock-Farrell was five minutes away from the perfect debut at York City. The Minstermen were 2-0 up against National League North rivals Leamington on Saturday but, with the game ticking towards a seemingly straightforward conclusion, the lowly visitors netted twice in the closing stages to nick a draw.
Needless to say, this put a downer on a hitherto impressive first appearance for Peacock-Farrell in York colours. The 20-year-old goalkeeper, who arrived on a month’s loan from Leeds United last week, had impressed with his command of the area and his distribution but there was nothing he could do about Leamington’s late double salvo.
Though it’s this sort of game, and this sort of experience, that could prove hugely beneficial in Peacock-Farrell’s young career. The Darlington-born shot-stopper had only ever played one senior game in his career prior to Saturday’s clash at the New Windmill Ground, coming during the latter days of Steve Evans’ tenure at Leeds in 2015/16.
And, as York boss Martin Gray pointed out upon Peacock-Farrell’s arrival, the rough and tumble of non-league could teach the youngster far from than the sanitised world of academy football.
Peacock-Farrell is one of the most highly-rated young goalkeepers in England. But with Leeds set to add talented Pole Kamil Miazek to their shot-stopping ranks, joining Felix Wiedwald and Andy Lonergan, it makes sense for Peacock-Farrell to expand his horizons elsewhere.
He’ll be hoping to ensure the last-gasp capitulation does not happen again however.
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